I'm a first time cruiser booked on the MSC Musica cruise itinerary Venice-Bari-Katakolon-Izmir-Istanbul-Dubrovnik October 2006.

Does anyone have any advice about what a newby should expect on this cruise, and does anyone have any suggestions about what to do in these ports? Should I take the shore excursions, or do the towns on my own? I'll be spending 3 days in Florence and 3 days in Venice on the way there, so if you have any advice about those cities as well I'd appreciate it.